Shared studio space is a hallmark of many Brooklyn studios, and it is not uncommon for smaller, newer firms to work side-by-side and share tips and tools with well-seasoned veterans. Perhaps no studio in Brooklyn exemplifies the success of this collective atmosphere better than Hellman-Chang.

Eric Chang and Daniel Hellman, two high school friends from Maryland, started the company in 2006 without any formal training in furniture making—Eric majored in Finance and Marketing at NYU and Daniel studied classical guitar at Northwestern. Both attribute much of their skill and success to the Williamsburg co-op where they rented their first 5’ x 10’ workspace and learned what they deem as “the right way to make furniture.”

This unconventional background is clear in their furniture designs, which combine old school methods and traditional techniques with a think-outside-the-box approach. It was this combination that garnered them almost immediate accolades. While essentially unknown in the industry, their Z pedestal won a Best of the Year Award from Interior Design Magazine in 2006.

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Daniel Hellman and Eric Chang of Hellman-Chang

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Since their early days, they expanded the “Z” series line to include dining and bedside tables, each with the signature twisted base that is uniquely Hellman-Chang. Most recently, the friends and business partners have been working on something rather new for them—a chair. After several prototypes and rounds of refinement, their Avery Chair is ready for market this month.

Today, Hellman-Chang occupies a 11,000 square foot gleaming studio and showroom space in Williamsburg, with 3,000 square feet hosting young artisans who are just getting their start. Staying true to their roots, everything Hellman-Chang produces is made in Brooklyn. And with a 1940s woodworking saw in their workshop, one of the largest in the country, they certainly haven’t abandoned their commitment to classical techniques either.

Just like the other studios on our tour of Brooklyn, the industrial exterior of Naula’s studio space masks the high quality design work that is happening on the inside. Since its launch in 2002, the company has manufactured all of its custom furniture on Suydam Street in East Williamsburg. And last summer, Naula opened its own showroom in the space, creating a head-to-tails design stop.

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Pictured: Naula Showroom

One hallmark of Naula’s pieces is unexpected accents that are a delightful surprise upon discovery. In the showroom, we see the Plaza Floating Nightstands fitted with a faux snakeskin liner in the drawers, which feels very luxurious without being over the top. And if snakeskin isn’t for you, you can choose whatever material you like, as almost every aspect of Naula’s products is customizable to a client’s taste. The Stash Desk is another piece that possesses surprise details. In the showroom, we see it with turquoise lacquer drawers, which are electrically refreshing and display a unique take on the standard desk.

Another thing we learn first-hand at Naula is the great emphasis the company places on the customer’s experience and interaction with its pieces. This goes beyond allowing the client to choose their desired fabric, finish and size. Much of the attention is focused on the details that the customer may never see or truly be aware of but will elevate these pieces far above ordinary, mass-produced furniture.

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This commitment is apparent in Naula’s manufacturing space. One way it is seen is just in the sheer variety of foams that are used in their pieces. Different thicknesses are required for the cushion versus the back and various areas throughout. The purpose, which Naula’s founder Angel Naula explains, is achieving the right level of comfort for the customer without sacrificing design. In the showroom, we see the 4 Square Storage cube, which is extremely functional, with interior storage space, as well as very stylish. And casters are expertly hidden, allowing the piece to be moved with effortless grace. As we conclude our day in Williamsburg, we’ve seen two studios with very different design styles but united in their commitment to quality and craftsmanship.